KAMMS’ Language Learning Collection (Spanish on the Job and English on the Job) now available through our new global partner, Franklin Electronics Publishers, Inc. KAMMS joins Franklin’s other distinguished content providers such as: Merriam-Webster, Oxford University Press, Bertelsmann, EncyclopediaBritannica, HarperCollins, Larousse, Langenscheidt, The Princeton Review. Check it out at this link!http://www.franklin.com/handhelds/language_learning/kamms/
Hispanics constitute the largest minority group in the United States.
Over 45 million Hispanics/Latinos live in the United States.
States with the largest population of Hispanics: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada.
North Carolina, Arkansas, and Georgia were among the states that experienced the greatest growth in their total Hispanic populations.
The Census Bureau estimates that of 8.7 million unauthorized migrants were living in the U.S. in 2000, 5.4 million (62%) were Hispanic, and 3.9 million (45%) were from Mexico.
The Census Bureau predicts that whites and minority groups overall would be roughly equal in size by 2050, with the Hispanic and Asian populations tripling by that time.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the projected Hispanic population of the United States in 2050 is 102.6 million people, 24% of the nation’s total population on that date.
Hispanics population growth- 3 percent a year, vs. 0.8 percent for everyone else.
“Over 400,000 documented Latino immigrants enter the US every year. This is the highest flow of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the history of the U.S. Most of these immigrants are filling low-skilled, blue-collared jobs.” Pew Hispanic Center
Even though Hispanics make up only 14% of the U.S. population, they are currently 22% of the nations workforce. This number is expected to increase to 55% by the year 2050. Now you know why the Spanish on the Job and English on the Job series are so crucial for our nation’s workforce.
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Basically, there are two ways we experience language: input and output. “Input” is what we take “in”, i.e. reading and listening. “Output” is what we put “out”. For example speaking and writing. Input is the most effective way to learn (internalize) a new language. When you are first learning a new language, concentrate on listening and reading everything possible in the target language. Once you feel confident that you have internalized the new vocabulary, then start to use “output” and speak and write what you have learned.
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Over 500 million people in the world speak Spanish. It is in the top four most common languages spoken on the planet, along with Mandarin Chinese, English, and Hindustani. In the U.S., over 45 million people speak Spanish and over 6 million more are learning it. There are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than speakers of Chinese, French, Hawaiian, and the Native American languages combined. We are the second-largest Spanish-speaking community in the world, only following Mexico. Chances are very good that you work with or come into contact with Spanish-speakers every day. Wouldn’t it be great to communicate with them? You don’t have to be completely bilingual to do it. Here’s a little secret: most Spanish-speakers in the U.S. know some English. About fifty percent of Spanish-speakers report that they speak English well, but many more know a little English. If the Spanish-speakers you’re meeting aren’t talking to you in the English they know, there could be a simple reason. It’s possibly because of a language theory called: Language Ego, originally defined by Guiora in 1981.
The general idea of the Language Ego theory is that we feel we have a different personality when we speak in a different language. We also feel less confident speaking in our second language. This is the reason most people prefer to speak in their first language. They’re afraid they will look stupid or will say the wrong thing. The reality is that when someone tries to speak in a second language the listener is usually very patient and thrilled that they are trying to communicate. They’re not concerned at all if it comes out perfectly.
So what can we do about this conundrum? It’s really quite easy; we can speak a little Spanish. It’s like offering an olive branch to a Spanish-speaker. You’re saying: I want to communicate with you and I’m willing to use the limited Spanish I learned to make a connection with you. You’ll be amazed how this will break the ice. You’ll instantly put the other person at ease to speak English with you. Then, before you know it, you’re speaking a little Spanish and they’re speaking a little English. The flood gates of communication will be open!
It really is that simple. People complicate the issue by trying to instantly become fluent in a second language. They try the time-consuming and boring language learning programs that teach the entire language with grammar lessons. Those are great for people with the time to dedicate months and years to learning Spanish. For the majority, this is too difficult and they give up quickly. The key is to start communicating with short and simple phrases. It’s like anything else, the more you do it the more you’ll learn.
You don’t have to become fluent to improve communication with your Spanish-speaking neighbors, customers, co-workers, etc. All you have to do is learn some common Spanish phrases that apply to the situation and voila-you’re communicating. Why not start today? Next time you meet a Spanish-speaker say: Mucho gusto. (moo-ch? goo-st?) It means: It’s a pleasure to meet you. Go out there an offer a Spanish olive branch!
If you want to learn more common phrases for specific jobs and situations, check out www.spanishonthejob.com
Illegal immigration in the U.S. comes up on the radar every so often in the political arena. There is no question that we need a solution in order to make sure all of our citizens are documented. The bigger issue, that everyone seems to be missing, is the way the immigration debate is influencing people’s perceptions about immigrants, in a negative way. I believe that it is affecting the unity and strength of our country. I’m not saying that illegal immigration itself is causing this breakdown. It’s the fact that the issue has become intertwined with other issues that are completely independent of the immigration debate. We all know that America is considered the melting pot. Most people accept this description and are proud of it; until one ingredient seems to be dominating the pot. Then we get worried. Then we start to worry that our way of life may change. Right now, Hispanics are causing this worry for many, because they are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the pot.
One of the biggest concerns for people is that Hispanics are not learning English. This is simply not true for the majority of Hispanics. Across the country, English as a second language classes are overcrowded and have waiting lists backed up for months. Additionally, millions of English language programs for self-paced learning are sold in stores each year. They are learning English in schools, in libraries and at home.
Among the many arguments discussed in the ongoing debate over immigration, there is at least one on which most agree: learning English is crucial to economic and social success in the United States. Speaking and understanding English means obtaining a better job, better communication with doctors, improved relationship with teachers, etc.
Regardless of your stand on the immigration debate, it is really an independent and separate issue. The majority of Hispanics are willing to work hard, learn English and contribute to society. They come to America for the same reasons all other immigrants came here throughout history; they are looking for opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families.
Helping Hispanics achieve this success, will benefit not only Hispanics, but our entire society . The Latin American Dream site was created to provide Hispanics the free information they need to improve their lives in the US.
It’s all about communication! We humans just want to understand each other. No matter what language we speak, the goal is always the same: communication. It seems that most language learning companies forget this simple premise.The majority of companies out there, like Rosetta Stone and Berlitz have this silly idea that the general public wants to learn the entire language and all the boring grammar rules that go along with it. The truth is that less than 4% of the population enjoys learning a language in this way. The result is that most give up or don’t even try.It just seems so simple to teach people what they need to communicate and nothing more (unless they’re part of the 4% mentioned above). If you agree, please help us spread the word that learning a language CAN be easy and fun!
KAMMS’ programs don’t bog people down with useless vocabulary or boring grammar. You learn what you need to communicate ~ and that’s all!
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Research shows that knowledge of other languages boosts our understanding of languages in general and enables us to use our native language more effectively. Second language learners have stronger vocabulary skills, a better understanding of the language, and improved literacy in general. People who learn a second language also gain enhanced listening skills and memory abilities. They show greater ability in areas such as creativity, and higher order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning.Additionally, learning another language exposes you to unfamiliar cultural ideas, so you’ll be much better equipped to adapt and cope in a fast-changing world. You’ll learn to effectively handle new situations and it will improve your ability to understand and communicate with people from different walks of life.
If you have children, you can help them learn a second language too. Children who have studied a language at the elementary level score higher on tests in reading, language arts, and math. By you learning another language, you can help your children improve their lives as well!
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Whether you’re traveling for vacation or work; you’ll be able to get around more easily and communicate with people wherever you go. In most countries, people will appreciate your attempts to use their language. You will be able to communicate more completely and have a deeper, more satisfying travel experience.
Being able to communicate in the native language allows you to fully participate in day-to-day life, understand the culture and communicate with the people. When you know the language, you have the comfort of being able to successfully navigate all sorts of situations, like ordering meals in restaurants, asking for and understanding directions, finding accommodations, negotiating cheaper prices, meeting and talking with natives or asking for help. If you don’t know the language, it can be frustrating and downright dangerous. Who knows, maybe knowing a second language will even save your life someday!
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Learn another language and you will improve your chances of getting any job in the US today (especially knowing Spanish).If you want a good job you need to know a second language! If you already have a good job, you better start learning one before you possibly lose it!Learning another language will allow you to write “excellent knowledge of (fill in the second language you speak)” on your résumé. Knowing another language is essential for many jobs. You’ll be able to communicate with customers, employees, co-workers, vendors and your supervisor. Knowing a second language will give you that something special that stands out on a résumé.Additionally, all else being equal on resumes, knowing more than one language gives you an edge over monolingual applicants competing for the same job. You’ll have an asset that employers are looking for.Knowing another language also makes you indispensable at work and because of this, you may be able to command a greater salary. You will be the one who interprets for your co-workers, customers and supervisors. You’ll be crucial to the successful daily operations at work. You’ll have an asset the boss won’t want to do without! This creates great job security for you!You could even become a world-class business person.Many businesses today are international. So if you want to do well in business, you have to know another language — to contact businesspeople, meet them at conferences, read international business newspapers and magazines.One of the most important benefits to knowing another language is simply improving communication at work; you’ll be able speak with your clients, customers, employees or co-workers. Plus if everyone at your job can communicate well with each other, you’ll be more productive and possibly even safer if everyone can understand each other clearly. Besides it being essential to speak another language at work- it’s just plain fun to communicate with someone in their language!As far as excelling in your career and making more money: Knowing another language is simply the best way to increase your chances of obtaining your dream job and earning more money. And this could give you and your family a better life!Please give us feedback or questions in the comment section below and we will reply promptly. Thanks!Check out our Spanish on the Job and English on the Job audio, video and workbook programs.
You may be familiar with someone I admire greatly and the Nobel Peace prize winner, Muhammed Unas. Dr Yunus created the concept of micro-finance. He started the Grameen bank that gives small loans to low-income women and men to start and build businesses. His guidance and inspiration has empowered thousands of poor people to create small businesses which take them out of poverty, ultimately promoting peace in the world. I strongly believe that we all have unique gifts that can help people in many different ways and (in the big picture) promote peace in our world. The reason I’m so passionate about what we do here at KAMMS is because I feel communication is the essence of humanity. It’s an innate desire we all possess: to communicate with other human beings. I also believe that bringing people together through language and understanding each other’s culture will promote peace in the U.S. and around the world. And I’m not the only one! Here are a few examples of others who share my sentiments about the importance of languages and culture:
The top official for the United Nations stated that “multilingualism is a means of promoting, protecting and preserving the diversity of the world’s languages and cultures.”
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information said: “Languages, which ones you understand or speak, read or write, whether on the Internet or in your society, can make the difference between knowing and not knowing”.
The UN Coordinator for Multilingualism said: Knowing languages can also make the difference between “being able to participate and being excluded.”
I think we can all agree that it’s crucial to learn other languages and understand other cultures, given our ever growing diversity, instant connectivity to around the world, and opportunities it would afford us. So why then do so many of us choose not to gain this knowledge. Let’s explore one of the responses I receive when I ask this question:“I’m no good at languages. I tried in high school (or college) and just couldn’t do it.” This one bothers me the most; considering I was a high school Spanish teacher and I witnessed the many antiquated teaching methods still in use today. It’s more than likely you were taught with the following:
irrelevant vocabulary you’d never use (my school taught vocabulary for going fishing, scuba diving and skiing)
grammar rules first (you learned approximately 50 ways to conjugate a verb – good luck figuring out which one to use when you’re trying to have a conversation)
vocabulary out of context (you learned a list you had to memorize, so you know a lot of words, but you can’t put them together to form a sentence)
First thing first: You have an innate ability to learn languages. As many as you want! You learned your first language easily and without stress. The problem is that most educational institutions don’t teach you the way you learned your first language. They start with grammar. You didn’t learn the grammar of your first language until you were in second grade. At that point you had already heard the language for seven years, you were able to communicate and you could put sentences together on your own. The reason you weren’t able to learn easily in high school or college was because most of their teaching techniques go against every law of language acquisition methodology I know. Because of my experience watching and using these techniques as a grade school and high school teacher, I know they don’t work. This is why, after 10 years of research, I created the Spanish on the Job and English on the Job programs; so that learners can understand and speak the relevant language they need immediately. I have watched people learning with my programs be able to converse within three months. I’m very proud of this, but I’m also frustrated that more people don’t know that they CAN learn languages easily.So please, when you meet me, please don’t tell me that you can’t learn languages. AARGHH! I know you can! If you’d like to check out the programs or to contact me, please go to our website: www.kammsworldwide.comI wish you great success! Stacey Kammerman CEO KAMMS WorldWidePlease give us feedback or questions in the comment section below and we will reply promptly. Thanks!